SUSTENANCE PREFERRED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 121, 8 June 1937, Page 10

SUSTENANCE PREFERRED

Able-Bodied Maoris Who Could Work Exception to able-bodied Maoris continuing on sustenance when they . could be working was taken by members of the Hawke 's Bay County Council , today. It was pointed out by' Mr Harding that there were several works acijacent to pas which could be done but that mpst of the men preferred to be on sustenance. The council decided to mako application to be supplied with lists of men who were drawing sustenance. The chairman, Mr F. B. Logan, said the labour question was one of importance to the county. He regarded the number of men on sustenance as being appalling, and he knew of instances where work was offering and men preferred to remain on sustenance. 44 When passing through a Maori pa recently with the Hon. W. E. Parry," said Mr Logan, "I pointed out to hiin what a crying shame it was that strong, healthy men should be on sustenance when renumerative work was offeringin the county. He made no comment. It is cCrtainly very worrying indeed to us." Mr S. Bennett said that his riding was likely to loosfe all its Maori workers, as the Publie Works Department intended to put them on to drain work on the highway. The taking of these men would greatly interfere with tho work of the riding, and he considered that sustenance men from Napier should be used for the work. The chairman concurred with Mr Bennett, suggesting that the department be asked to leave the present workers undesturbed and to make its engagement from sustenance men. "If we are to provide work," said the chairman, "it is only right that we should be supplied with a list of those on sustenance. We are large employers of labour, and we know personally many of the labourers in the district. A member: They won't supply it. The council decided to make applica tion for lists of, sustenance men3